Wild Sheep Foundation > What We Do > Awards

Statesman's Awards

The Wild Sheep Foundation recognizes three different Statesman Awards for government officials who have made outstanding contributions to wild sheep.

State Statesman

Contributions to the state/province/country the person is from.

The 2025 State Statesman Award was presented to Idaho Sate Representative James Petzke. His plaque reads:

The Wild Sheep Foundation recognizes and appreciates your leadership in advancing Fair Chase hunting, wildlife research, and wildlife management. We thank you for your substantive contributions to wild sheep conservation and management and for your service to the great state of Idaho.

State Statesman Recipient James Petzke

The 2025 State Statesman Award was presented to Idaho State Representative James Petzke (holding plaque). He was joined on stage by WSF Board Chair Glen Landrus, ID Wild Sheep Foundation past president Bill London, ID Wild Sheep Foundation Vice President Triston Warner, ID Wild Sheep Foundation President Josh Miller, and WSF Lobbyist Greg Schildwachter.

2025 - James Petzke
2024 - Quentin Kujula
2023 - Tony Wasley
2022 - Frances Cassirer, Ph.D.
2017 - Peregrine L. Wolff, DVM
2015 - Jim Frazier - CA assemblymember - District 11
2012 - New Mexico Game & Fish / Elise Goldstein & Eric Rominger
2012 - Nevada Department of Wildlife & Ken Mayer
2010 - Debbie Smith
2008 - Eric Rominger
2008 - Elise Goldstein
2007 - John Huntsman
2006 - Vern Bleich
2005 - Bob Cook
2004 - Frank Murkowski
2003 - Jane Hull
2002 - Jim Karpowitz
2002 - Lee Howard
2002 - Collin Allan
2002 - Dr. Max Morgan
2001 - Governor James Geringer
2000 - Governor Mike Leavitt
1999 - Dr. David Hunter
1998 - Lyn Nielsen
1997 - Kevin Hurley
1997 - Felipe Ramirez
1996 - Vic Coggins
1996 - Lloyd Oldenburg
1995 - Craig Stevens
1994 - Wayne Heimer
1994 - Jack Kilpatrick
1993 - Bob Stevens
1993 - Herb Meyer
1992 - Robert Tully
1991 - Dale Wills
1990 - Governor Mike Sullivan
1989 - Senator Ken Fanning
1988 - Senator Robert Presley

2025 State Statesman Presentation

Federal Statesman

Contributions to wild sheep at a national level.

The Federal Statesman Award was not presented in 2025.

Complete List of Federal Statesman Recipients

2024 - USFWS International Affairs Division - Don Morgan
2022 - Dr. Mary VanderKop, Yukon Territory
2018 - Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center)
2015 - Melanie Woolever
2011 - Suzanne Rainville, Pattie Soucek & Chans O’Brien (Payette National Forest Team)
2010 -Sen. Mike Crapo
2008 - Curtis Mack
2006 - Mike Foster
2005 - Gale Norton
2002 - Hon . James Hansen
2001 - Senator Craig Thomas
2000 - James Beers
1998 - Melanie Woolever
1997 - Jack Ward Thomas
1996 - Tim Schommer
1995 - Bob Richmond
1994 - James Baca
1993 - Duane Shroufe
1991 - Dick Schultz
1990 - President George Bush
1989 - Stephen Mealey
1988 - Thomas McMillan
1987 - Ron Sommerville
1979 - Dr. Valerius Geist

International Statesman

Contributions to the wild sheep in one or more countries.

The 2025 International Statesman Award was presented to the Mongolia Ministry of Environment & Climate Change and the Mongolia Wildlife Association. Their plaque reads:

The Wild Sheep Foundation recognizes Mongolia’s Government Officials, Wildlife Biologists and Outfitters for leadership and unprecedented collaboration among your country’s wildlife professionals to ensure conservation of Mongolia’s wild sheep and goats, managing them as a treasured and sustainable resource for Mongolia, her citizens and the world.

Mongolian delegation receiving International Statesman Award

Complete List of International Statesman Recipients

2025 - Mongolia Ministry of Environment & Climate Change and the Mongolia Wildlife Association
2020 - Davlatshoh Gulmahmadzoda - Tajikistan
2019 - Batyr Seikenov & Orynbassar Shaimukanbetov - Kazakhstan
2011 - Armando J. Garcia – CEMEX (Mexico)
2010 - John Jackson III
2008 - Ted Morton
2006 - Daryl Stepaniuk
2002 - Hon. Gordon Campbell
2001 - Felipe Ramirez

2025 International Statesman Presentation